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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Larry B on July 10, 2012, 08:07:07 PM

Title: First outing after two years
Post by: Larry B on July 10, 2012, 08:07:07 PM
Last weekend was the first time out of the shop after two years of conversion. (Other than test runs to check things or see if problem is gone). Got overheating fixed , was 34C or 94F day we came home. No more fuel problems, even adjusted the steering so driver can do a  little rubbernecking while driving. Even caught a couple of rainbows. Had to post the picture to prove I made it out of the shop.
        Larry B
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: OneLapper on July 10, 2012, 08:18:30 PM
Congrats!!  Great feeling to finally use it, isn't it?
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Oonrahnjay on July 11, 2012, 06:16:28 AM
    Nice slide and awning, Larry.  Have you used the slide before (i.e. was it installed in the two years?)  Did it work well, no rattles, leaks, etc?   Looking good.
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: mike802 on July 11, 2012, 06:49:13 AM
Wow! looks great, two years !! you are way ahead of me, I will not be where you are in six months.  Great job.
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: TomC on July 11, 2012, 07:07:12 AM
Great looking 5!  I especially like the modified front windshield-really looks great.  Almost looks like Crown windshields.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Melbo on July 11, 2012, 06:16:16 PM
Always fun to take the bus out (especially after TWO years) and park by the water

Melbo
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Larry B on July 11, 2012, 08:00:31 PM
   Thanks for all the compliments. and yes it did fell good to take it for a drive and park by the water. The slide works well. I built it very sturdy, it does not rattle while driving. It and my leveling jacks are operated by a 12 volt hydraulic pump. The slide moves in and out on two 3" square tubes running inside 3 1/2" square tube. The outside tube has machined rollers, top, bottom,sides front and rear. The rollers are shimable,so with a little fiddling it was easy it make it work smooth. This is all welded together in a frame work, bolted to the five main runners under the bay floor and bolted  to the steel on the house floor you walk on. For the last couple of days I have been adding air scoops to the air rad inlet screens. trying to get better control on engine temp.
             Larry B   
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Mex-Busnut on July 12, 2012, 07:08:11 AM
Congratulations on your finished project!

Now, how about some pictures of the inside?
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: lostagain on July 12, 2012, 07:11:04 AM
And pics of your air scoops with comments on the results for cooling.

JC
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: rv_safetyman on July 12, 2012, 10:28:14 AM
Larry, sounds like a well designed slide system.  Have you documented anywhere so folks can "steal" your idea?

My question is how you dealt with the welding material that is often found on the inside of square tubing.  I have a heck of a time with that when I fabricate trailer receivers out of stock 2 inch ID square tubing.  The trailer hitch manufacturers seem to have some way to remove that material (broach?).

Jim
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Sam 4106 on July 12, 2012, 07:29:30 PM
Hi Jim,

I can buy 2 1/2" X 1/4" wall square tubing, without the inside weld, off the rack at a local welding shop. I suspect that if you ask for it, a well stocked shop or steel supplier will have or can get it for you.

Good luck, Sam
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Dave5Cs on July 12, 2012, 10:05:22 PM
I would also be interested in see some diagrams on your  leveling system and pump setup etc. Larry nice job all around.

Dave5Cs ;D
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: luvrbus on July 13, 2012, 06:42:37 AM
You buy seamless tubing Jim then there is no need to deal with seam

good luck
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: LowTide on July 13, 2012, 07:30:15 AM
Congratulations, she is a real beauty..... you have me drooling right now.

And that camp site just looks too inviting. If I may ask, where was that located?
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Seangie on July 16, 2012, 12:59:17 PM
Larry,

That is a pretty bus.  Great job. 

-Sean
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: DebDav on July 16, 2012, 01:25:25 PM
This is what it is all about.
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: chev49 on July 16, 2012, 04:33:27 PM
looks very good. thanks for the pics.
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Larry B on July 16, 2012, 08:18:34 PM
First I must apologize for not getting back sooner but I forgot to take the camera to the shop to get more pictures. I did this two  days in a row. I have no secrets and any little bit I do know I am definitely willing to share.  I finished the air scoops at the air inlet screens to the radiators. The weather has cooled down (mid 20's C--70F), so to go for test drive would not give an accurate test to see if they help with cooling. On the air screen on the driver  side I added a piece of aluminum deflector on the inside of the screen to direct some of the air toward the engine blower intake. On an MCI-5B the majority of blower air is drawn in at rad. It seems as if rad and blower are in competion for the same air. If the scoops are effective I will paint this winter.     
              Larry B
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: Larry B on July 16, 2012, 09:03:32 PM
A couple of pictures of the inside  as requested and what it looks like. We are getting ready to take a trip from Alberta (home to me) to west coast of British Columbia . Through the Rockie Mts, the real test for my hobby. After I get back I will open a section in the conversion section with more pictures that will show the mechanics of the slide and the leveling system and more inside pictures. I still have inside things left to do, but enough is done that it is usable.
            Larry B
Title: Re: First outing after two years
Post by: lostagain on July 17, 2012, 07:12:25 AM
Larry, it will be interesting to see how they work. From what I read (from Fred Hobe's), the scoops should be at least 1/3 of the width of the screen, so they actually scoop some air and direct it into the rad.

Do stop here overnight on your trip across BC. I'll show you my 5 if you show me yours, LOL.

JC